Scripture from the Message:  1 Kings 22:41-44 (ESV) - "Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah... He did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord." Colossians 3:12 (ESV) - "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." Jehoshaphat….what a cool name and what an even cooler guy!!!!!  His reign is marked by humility and a commitment to God’s ways, showing how a hum

Scripture from the Message: 1 Kings 22:34 (ESV) - "But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, 'Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.'" Romans 12:3 (ESV) - "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measur

Scripture: 1 Kings 22:19-23 (ESV) - "And Micaiah said, 'Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left...'" 2 Corinthians 11:14 (ESV) - "And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." Micaiah reveals the deception surrounding Ahab, where a lying spirit was permitted to persuade the king’s false prophets. It illustrates the pervasiveness of decep

Scripture from the Message: 1 Kings 22:7 (ESV) - "But Jehoshaphat said, 'Is there not here another prophet of the Lord of whom we may inquire?'" John 8:32 (ESV) - "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Jehoshaphat's insistence on seeking another prophet showcases his dedication to truth, even when surrounded by agreeable voices. He exemplifies the courage needed to seek God's absolute truth rather than settling for collective agreements that might soo

Scripture:  1 Kings 22:30 (ESV) - "And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, 'I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.' And the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle." Galatians 5:1 (ESV) - "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." King Ahab's decision to disguise himself reflects his attempt to control his fate, driven by a false sense of freedom. He believed he could

Scripture: 1 Kings 22:5-6 (ESV) - "And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, 'Inquire first for the word of the Lord.' Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, 'Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?' And they said, 'Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.'" Proverbs 16:18 (ESV) - "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." In 1 Kings 22, King Ahab

Scripture from 1 Kings:   1 Kings 21:25-26 (ESV): "There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. He acted very abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord cast out before the people of Israel." Scripture Passage: Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV)  "And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great a

Scripture from 1 Kings:   1 Kings 20:42-43 (ESV): "And he said to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life shall be for his life, and your people for his people.”’" Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV)   "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!   I hope that today is an amazing day spent thanking God for Jesus and spending some time with family and friends.  From the Perstrope family and from the Connect Church family, we wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Scripture from 1 Kings:   1 Kings 20:28-29 (ESV): "And a man of God came near and said to the king of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Because the Syrians have said, ‘The Lord is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys,’ therefore I will

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES TODAY!  If you didn’t attend on the 23rd, we have 3 services today at 1pm, 2:30pm, and 4pm.  Join us!!! Scripture from 1 Kings:   1 Kings 20:7-8 (ESV): "Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, ‘Mark, now, and see how this man is seeking trouble, for he sent to me for my wives and my children, and for my silver and my gold, and I did not refuse him.’ And all the elders and all the people said to him, ‘Do not listen or consent.

CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT SERVICES TODAY!!:  We hope you will join us for one of our Christmas Candlelight Services.  Today’s services are at 5:30pm and 7pm.   Scripture from 1 Kings:   1 Kings 20:13 (ESV): "And behold, a prophet came near to Ahab king of Israel and said, ‘Thus says the Lord, Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will give it into your hand this day, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’" Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) "Fear not, for I am with you; be not disma

Scripture from 1 Kings:   1 Kings 20:3-4 (ESV): "Your silver and your gold are mine; your best wives and children also are mine. And the king of Israel answered, ‘As you say, my lord, O king, I am yours, and all that I have.’" Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)  "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9   "There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'" God inquired of Elijah, but He already knew what was up.  His question to Elijah is both a challenge and an invitation to reflection, prompting the prophet to re-evaluate his situation. This moment symbolizes a divine check-in, examining motive and position amid personal challenges. It suggests that amid our

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:15   "And the Lord said to him, 'Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.'" God always has a purpose for us in all times. His directive to Elijah to anoint new leaders reflects His ongoing plan and purpose, emphasizing that life’s challenges do not halt divine intentions. Despite Elijah's previous fear and despair, God reaffirms his role and mission, providing new tasks that

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:11-12   "And he said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper." So often we look for God in the specta

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:5-6    "And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, 'Arise and eat.' And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again." I’ve never slept under a broom tree, but I’ve definitely gone on a long drive and had choice words for myself and God.  Or I’ve locked myself in my room and crawled into bed.  Or I’ve gone on a long

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:4   "But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, 'It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.'" Ugh……can you relate?  Just feeling totally cooked?  (that’s what the kids say these days). Elijah was in full-on “I can’t even” mode.  His expression of despair under the broom tree is a raw and honest acknowledgment of reaching t

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:3   "Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there." Elijah, despite being a powerful prophet who had just witnessed God's tremendous power, found himself overcome by fear and fled for his life. This moment captures the essence of being overwhelmed by circumstances—a universal experience known as the "I can't evens." It demonstrates that no one is immune to fear and feeling

BIG IDEA: It's better to be lonely and following God than popular and following the world. Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:20 (ESV) "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us," It’s a shame that we settle as much as we do. God has a greater plan than we do. But when we get caught up in the things of the world, it can be hard to see His plan or even discern what His plan might be. God's purpose for o

BIG IDEA: It's better to be lonely and following God than popular and following the world. Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 18:21 (ESV) "And Elijah came near to all the people and said, 'How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.' And the people did not answer him a word." Syncretism is subtle in our culture. Most people’s beliefs are blended with upbringing, tradition, and current culture. However, our